Holy Family holds Mass of Thanksgiving to celebrate new pope

As Catholics around the world celebrate the new pope, Tulsans are coming together to pray.

Holy Family Cathedral held a Mass of Thanksgiving downtown Friday night.

Thanking God

Friday's mass was about thanking God for the new pope.

Attendees say Pope Leo XIV has the character needed for the Catholic Church.

After a day of celebration, a moment to pray...

"Listen, pray and pray for the future of our country, creature of the Pope. I think it's all just sending positive vibes for everyone," said Greg Moore.

He attended Cascia Hall, the same school where Pope Leo XIV served on the board of directors. He says he was excited to learn about the connection.

"When I realized who it was. I was like, Oh, wow. And then somebody started sending me pictures about him being on the plaque at Cascia. Started connecting the dots with a lot of the old priests that I knew from school, and I got cold chills."

He came with his friend Robert Bandelier on Friday.

"I was just overjoyed. I wish I'd been here [on Thursday] with the school children to jump up and down," said Robert.

Related: Tulsa Catholics celebrate as Leo XIV is elected first American pope

He is originally from Chicago, like the new pope.

"I can't put it in words. The main thing was, I was praying for a pope that would continue Francis' ideas, and we got that, but an American Pope, and from Chicago, yet, that's beautiful," he said.

Anticipation to celebration

He's been following the conclave all week, saying, "Anxious, but when it turned out to be who it was and what it represents, I was just overjoyed."

And it isn't stopping anytime soon.

"I see it as more of a celebration. They haven't listed it as a massive Thanksgiving, but for me, it's a time to celebrate. I may go out and do that after," he said.

Service wrapped up at Holy Family around 7 p.m. Friday. The next mass is at 8 a.m. Saturday.